5 Ways To Keep Your Identity Safe

Identity theft is becoming increasingly common, and protecting yourself is important. One way to keep your identity safe is to get an unpublished phone number. This is often overlooked but phone companies sell customer information including name, address, and calling records to anyone who will pay for it.

This can put you at risk of having your identity stolen because the more places your personal information is stored, the greater the chance of it being ripped off.

Getting and using a PO Box is another way to combat identity theft. Having your bills and statements sent to a PO Box will safeguard your personal information from criminals who steal information from mailboxes. It also protects you from anyone trying to connect your name and address by researching your utility bills who keep and share this information. By using a PO Box they will not have your physical address.

While you're at the post office, always mail bills and other letters containing checks and personal information from the post office. This will eliminate the chance that your personal information will be stolen out of your mailbox.

This is a common method used by identity thieves, but can easily be avoided by ensuring you never put anything containing personal information in your local mailbox.

Never put your phone number, social security number, or any other information on your checks. Your name and preferably PO Box address is all you should put. Some stores won't like it if you refuse to supply them this information but it is not required if you show ID. Most businesses run your check through electronic verification on the spot anyway, so never give out personal info on a check.

Your social security number is particularly important to safeguard. Even if companies request it, don't give it to them unless they're using it to run a credit check. Again, limiting the number of places that have this information limits the chances of it being stolen.

When you apply for a job, don't give them your social security number until you are hired. There is no need for them to have it until that time, and once again if you supply it when it isn't required, it's just one more place that has it and is a potential source of theft.

About the Author

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